but this afternoon, republican leader mitch mcconnell complained that democrats had failed to deliver a promised counteroffer. so mcconnell called for help, phoning vice president biden who came to the white house today and now part of the talks. >> i want every ton know i'm following get this done. but i need a dance partner. >> reporter: majority leader harry reid acknowledged democrats were stuck and he, too called for help. >> i have a number of conversations with the president and at this stage, we are not able to make a counteroffer. >> reporter: democrats blamed republicans for a "major setback" when mcconnell suggested chances to social security that would mean that future increases in payments to seniors would be smaller. >> we are not going to have any social security cuts. at this stage, that just doesn't seem appropriate. >> reporter: a number of republican senators backed off, saying they keep social security off the table, but want democrats to do more to reduce the deficit u. >> republicans don't want to see new revenues, in other words, democrat tax increases, be used